Coronary artery bypass surgery in patients less than 40 years of age

Coronary bypass patients less than 40 years of age were identified and compared with a control group previously studied at our hospital. In patients less than 40 years, the average age was 35 years. Men comprised 90.1 percent of group 1, and 83.4 percent of group 2. Operative mortality was 2.89 percent for group 1 and 2.1 percent for group 2. Patients less than 40 years were more likely to have positive family history (46.3 percent vs 21.94 percent), elevated cholesterol levels (25.62 vs 11.36 percent), and be smokers (59.09 vs 39.9 percent). Group 1 patients were less likely to have diabetes (4.54 vs 13.37 percent) or hypertension (18.18 vs 31.43 percent). The percentage of late deaths was much higher for younger patients. Postoperative angina and the need for reoperation was higher in group 1.